The Hart Brothers Series Box Set (Including the bonus book Sabin: A Seven Novel): Freeing Her, Freeing Him, Kestrel, The Fall and Rise of Kade Hart, Sabin: A Seven Novel

by A. M. Hargrove

  “Jesus. I’m coming over.”

  It takes Case an eternity to get here. I’m half out of my mind by the time he does. I know I look like one of my patients who needs to be admitted but I can’t control myself. I’m certain something dreadful has occurred.

  Case takes my hands in his. “Where’s your liquor cabinet?”

  “In there.”

  He drags me behind him and pours a glass of something. I don’t even notice what it is. That’s how fucked my mind is right now.

  “Sit.” He points to the couch and sits next to me. “Start from the beginning.”

  I do, and when I finish, he asks, “Mind if I take a look around?”

  “No, go right ahead.”

  “What was he wearing?”

  “I don’t know. He was at his desk and I didn’t pay attention. A sports shirt and pants. No tie but I don’t know which shirt or pants.”

  Case nods and goes into our bedroom. He looks in the closet and comes out, glances around the room, but doesn’t say anything.

  “Where’s his office?”

  “Down there. Follow me.”

  I lead the way and he walks in and takes a look around, picks a bunch of stuff up, and rifles through papers.

  He cocks his head and says, “He never went to work.”

  “Huh?”

  “Whatever happened, happened from here. Who goes to work without their cell phone or brief case?”

  I walk to his desk and there sits his phone. Grabbing it, I look at all the missed calls and texts from me, among the many others from Jack and God knows who else.

  “What the hell?”

  “See anything on there you recognize?”

  “No. I know he said something about a meeting today and that he was going to be late. He said not to wait on dinner for him.”

  I continue to scroll and I come upon the one from his dad.

  “What the fuck!”

  “What is it?”

  “A text from his dad about joining his company and going to Vegas.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Yeah, since Kolson hates his dad and would never even consider it.”

  “Gabs, how much do you know about Kolson’s dad?”

  “Enough to know I don’t want to know any more. He’s an ass, a creep, and a son of a bitch.”

  “Do you know his suspected involvement in …”

  “Organized crime?”

  “Okay, as long as we’re on the same page.”

  “Yeah. Kolson’s not like him in any way, Case. You need to know and understand that right now. He left his dad’s organization for that reason. Well, that’s one of the reasons.”

  Case looks around some more but finally says, “It’s late. I’ll crash here tonight and in the morning, I’ll call my NYPD connections. You can’t report a missing person for twenty-four hours anyway. That’ll be our timeline. How does that sound?”

  “The best we can do. I’m afraid his dad may have done something to him.”

  Case doesn’t look very reassuring when he says, “Let’s not jump to conclusions yet.”

  “Thanks for coming up here.”

  He hugs me. “What else could I do, my friend?”

  In the morning, Kolson’s phone rings. I grab it. It’s Jack.

  “Have you talked to him?” I ask.

  “No. He missed the meetings yesterday. I don’t know where he is.”

  “Oh, Jack. It’s like he vanished. I found his phone here in his office late last night. My friend, a private investigator, is looking into it but you may want to call in the security team at HTS.”

  “Good idea, Dr. Martinelli.”

  “My friend, Case, is going to call the police when he wakes up. What time is it?”

  “It’s six.”

  “I’ll call if I hear anything.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.”

  I head for the kitchen to put on coffee because Case and I are sure to need it. Kolson’s phone rings again. I don’t even bother to see who’s calling. I just answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Who is this?”

  “Who is this?” I ask back.

  “This is Langston Hart. I’m calling for my son.”

  “Langston, this is Gabby. I don’t know where he is. He disappeared.”

  “He what?”

  “Yes. I left for work yesterday and he was here and that’s the last I saw of him.”

  “Why, that conniving little bastard.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “None of your goddamn business.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. Everything about Kolson is my business.”

  “Oh, smart little doctor. Keep your damn nose out of this. This isn’t your problem.”

  “Yes, it is my problem because I happen to love your son and he’s missing and I’ll do whatever it takes to find him.”

  “Well, at least we see eye to eye on something.”

  “On what? The part about finding him or the part about loving him? Because somehow I think our feelings couldn’t be further apart.”

  “Mind your own damn business. If you hear from that sneaky little shit, you tell him that Daddy’s waiting.”

  “Fuck off.”

  “Oh, baby girl. I’d be very careful about saying that to me. Very, very careful.”

  And the call ends. I don’t realize how much I’m shaking until I put the phone down. And then I scream, which brings Case running into the kitchen.

  “What happened?”

  “That was his father. He’s such an asshole!”

  “What did he say?”

  When I tell Case, he’s not surprised.

  “Go shower. It’ll make you feel better.”

  Right. The only thing that’ll make me feel better is Kolson walking through that door.

  With zombielike motions, I shower and dress. Seeing patients in this state of mind is out of the question. I’m supposed to work at the hospital clinic tonight. I’ve cut my hours back, because I don’t need the money like I did. With my office rent expenses cut by two-thirds since I moved in with Case, my bills have eased up. I’m not spending any money on food, since I eat at Kolson’s or with him every night, so I’m able to put more money toward my loans. Granted, it’s not much more, but every bit helps.

  Once dressed, I put a call into the receptionist and ask her to reschedule my day. My stomach feels like I’m on a carnival ride, and I want to jump off. How can your life turn upside down so quickly? One minute everything’s great and the next, the love of your life disappears without a trace.

  Where the hell did he go? Did someone break in and abduct him? If so, where is the ransom note? His dad, who is my number-one suspect, was shocked, then pissed Kolson wasn’t here. Of course, there is the possibility he’s simply a great actor. So, if someone did take Kolson, he’s smart enough to leave clues.

  I run down the hall to Kolson’s office.

  “What is it?” Case asks.

  “What if someone abducted him?”

  “I called down to security and they’re looking at the tapes from yesterday. They’re supposed to call me if they find something. I want to see them.”

  Kolson’s desk is neat. Pristine, really. But he’s always been like that. I thumb through his papers and nothing strikes me as unusual. Orderly business agreements, contracts for him to review, messages he needs to return.

  “Shit. If he were abducted, he’d leave a clue. I know Kolson would.”

  “Look things over, then, and see if you find anything.”

  I pour through his briefcase and his drawers. Nothing. There’s absolutely nothing in here. My frustration mounts.

  His phone rings.

  “Hello?”

  “Dr. Martinelli. It’s Jack. Any word?”

  “None yet. I’m scouring his office, checking for clues. He just disappeared.” My voice cracks as I stem a sob.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to distress you.”

 
“No, it’s okay. I’ll call if I hear from him. We’re going to notify the police any minute now.”

  “Good. I’ll be in touch.”

  “Thank you, Jack.”

  My phone rings next and it’s Sam. When I hear his voice, the floodgates burst wide open. He can’t even understand what I’m saying. I’m so noisy, Case flies into the room.

  “What?”

  I can’t answer so I hand him my phone. He talks to Sam and tells me Sam is coming over with his brother, Ovaltine.

  “Where is he? You can’t just vanish into thin air, Case.”

  “Exactly.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” I punch him in the chest, arm, anywhere my hands can land.

  He wraps me in his big arms and hugs me. But it’s not Kolson. And I want Kolson. I want his scent to surround me. I want his warmth. His touch. Him, damn it.

  Case carries me to the den and puts me on the couch. The intercom buzzes and it’s Manny from downstairs. “There’s a Sky O’Donnell here to see you, Dr. Martinelli.”

  “Send her up.” My voice is raspy.

  “Did you call her?” I ask Case.

  “What do you think? I’m about to round up the posse here.”

  “Call the cops. Now.”

  He nods and makes the call. The elevator opens and Sky runs into my arms.

  “Shit. Shit. Shit, Gabs.”

  “It is bad when you curse.”

  “This is bad. Ryder will be here as soon as class gets out. Cara is on the way.”

  “I’m losing it, Sky. I just want to know what happened to him. Did someone take him? Did he get hit by a car? What happened? Not knowing is killing me.”

  The elevator opens again and Sam walks out.

  “Sam. I’m sorry I had a meltdown.”

  “It’s okay, Dr. M. You’re entitled to one.”

  “When was the last time you saw him, Sam?”

  “Day before yesterday. And you say he never went to work, huh?”

  “Yeah. Everything was here. Oh God, I keep having this vision that he’s hurt, lying somewhere and no one can hear him. And he’s all alone. In the dark. He hates the dark. Oh God, we have to find him.”

  “Listen up now. Mr. H. is tough and can take care of himself, so you have to stop thinking those bad thoughts, Dr. M.”

  “It’s just that I’m so worried about him.”

  “I know you are but thinking like that is only gonna get you in a mess. You hear me?”

  He’s right and I know it. But sometimes you can’t help the way you think.

  The day continues much like this. Sky holds my hand for most of the day, offering me what comfort she can. Cara and Ryder try to help, but there’s not much they can do. People are in and out, and my nerves frayed until the last thread is showing. The police have put out a missing persons report and his picture is plastered all over the news. If he wasn’t on Google before, he sure is now.

  The police search the apartment and dust for fingerprints. I tell them everything I know, and they question me over and over. But nothing comes up. Nothing is missing, and no ransom letter has been received by anyone.

  Everyone leaves so it’s just Case and me when he finally breaks the news. “Gabby, everything is a dead end. The police have called in the FBI because of Kolson’s father. You’ll be questioned soon.”

  “I don’t care who the hell they call in. And, he had to have gone somewhere.”

  “Let’s talk about the last few weeks. You say everything was great between you two.”

  I hedge. Case is bright. He notices.

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “It’s personal.”

  “Shit. At this point, nothing is personal. We’re trying to find Kolson. Do you want me to help or not?”

  “Yes.” I explain everything that’s been going on and the situation with his dad during the weekend at his house. I tell Case everything.

  “So you say he’s been acting weird. Different.”

  “Yeah. But not with respect to us. In fact, I’d say he was even more into us. You know?”

  “Explain.”

  “Almost like he couldn’t get enough.”

  Case narrows his eyes and stares. I’ve seen him give this look before and it makes me squirm. “Do you think he was saying goodbye?”

  If he would’ve punched me in the gut, I would’ve felt better. Because as humans, we tend to avoid the obvious. All the signs that point to things, painful things we don’t want to admit or want to listen to. Yes, I had seen those signs. But I chose to ignore them. The way Kolson held me. The way he kissed me and nearly worshipped me. And especially the way he looked at me. The day when he held me in the car after we met with the attorneys. Like he just couldn’t let go. I knew those signs. But I refused to see them for what they were.

  I didn’t even realize I was crying again until Case handed me tissues.

  “You … you think he left me?”

  “Gabs, I don’t know. I’m trying to puzzle this out.”

  “But why would he walk away from all his stuff?” My arms wave wildly about, indicating the contents of the penthouse. “This is a lot of stuff. If he wanted out, he could’ve told me to leave.”

  “Because he loves you with everything he has and he wants you to have it all? I don’t know. I’m pulling at anything and everything right now. Nothing makes sense.”

  “Will you stay with me tonight?”

  “Yeah. I need to run home and pick up some things. Will you be okay for a little while?”

  “Can I come with you? I don’t want to stay alone.”

  Ovaltine waits out front to take us to Case’s. It takes about an hour round trip. And the whole time, I’m thinking, how in the hell am I ever going to get back to my life again?

  Chapter Eight

  Kolson

  My studio apartment is in Brooklyn and it’s a far cry from the life I left behind. But that’s not what I miss. It’s the warmth that used to wrap around me every night and the softness that I would bury myself into. It’s the voice that would murmur into my ear and the sweet breath that would fan across my cheek. And it’s the calm that would seep into me every time she was near. All she had to do was touch or be close to me and everything would change.

  I’ve stocked this place with enough food and liquor to last me a few weeks. I also pick up some hair dye and a cheap computer. My only tie with my former life is one measly thumb drive. On it are the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken of Gabriella in the last month, along with information on my father I’ve gathered over the years. The pictures are one thing I cannot separate myself from. If something were to happen, I know I can take this piece of me wherever I go. And worst-case scenario, its destruction is a simple task. The files on the dragon, while not enough to send him to prison, are a starting point.

  For the next few weeks, I have no intention of leaving this apartment, unless I’m forced to. And Sam will let me know if I’m in danger of discovery from that end. I settle in, my only contact with the outside world this piece of shit computer.

  My face is splashed all over the news. It’s a good thing I wore sunglasses and a hoodie when I left. Less chance of being recognized. I was also careful to wear more ragged clothing, so I didn’t draw attention.

  Gabriella has pulled out all stops in her search for me. NYPD is terming it a missing persons incident but there are no clues in the apartment. She’s called Case—he was interviewed. I knew she would do that and I’m pretty sure I didn’t leave anything behind for him to find. But he’s damn good at what he does, so I hope he doesn’t figure this out.

  I pray she’ll give up soon. When the police find no evidence of foul play, they will have no choice. They’ll break the news to her that they can’t continue the search after a certain length of time and that will be all there is to it. At least that’s what I hope for.

  It’s so dark and the mean man scares me. He took my Spiderman pajamas away and gave me some other stuff to wear. I don�
��t know if they’re Spiderman ones or not, but they itch me. I want my other ones back. I cried and he said if I didn’t shut up I wasn’t gonna get any water or stuff to eat. I tried to stop but I couldn’t so I put my fist in my mouth to make me stop but the man left and he hasn’t come back. I’m so hungry and thirsty. Why doesn’t my mommy come for me? The mean man said she’s not ever coming back again. How come she’s not coming back? I want my mommy and my Spiderman pajamas. And my Thomas the Train lamp. I can’t see anything.

  * * *

  Memories of those first days flood me. There was a time when I was able to push them back, cover them up and hide them. But every night since I’ve been in this apartment without Gabriella, they crash into me when darkness settles in. It’s no use even trying to keep them out anymore. They tear into me with lightning speed, so many of them at once. It’s like the fight has gone out of me. I’m limp and lifeless as I lie here, thinking, thinking, thinking. About how he stole my childhood. How he stole my youth. How he stole my life. And how he’s doing it again.

  I pace but I’m caged. I’m so tense; I don’t know how to release it. I need to fight. To expend this energy, but I’m trapped in here. Exercising only does so much. I run in the early hours, when I’m sure no one will see me. But it’s not enough. That’s where the liquor helps. I drink to numb myself. It’s the only way.

  When I’m sober, I remember how there’s only one thing that can cleanse me and I can’t get to her right now. So I will begin to make a plan. A plan that will take him down. Piece by piece. A cold, calculated plan. It has to be perfectly executed because his tentacles are far-reaching and so is his fire. And if I burn in the end, along with him, will I care? Not really. Because what kind of life has he condemned me to? He stole every last shred of anything I ever had. So I must find a way to steal it all back.

  The mean man told me my name was Kolson. Why does he tell me that? That’s not my name. Mommy won’t like that. My name is Jason but he told me I have to say it’s Kolson or I won’t get to eat. I’m hungry so I say it’s Kolson. But I know it’s not. I say Kolson out loud but Jason in my head. Mean Man says if I say Kolson, he’ll turn on a light. I said, “Kolson,” as loud as I could. But my throat burned ’cause I’m so thirsty. He gave me water and turned on the light but my eyes hurt so bad, I squeezed them shut. He mean laughed and I got scared and cried. So he shut it back off and told me I needed to be quiet and be a big boy and not a crybaby all the time.